The Glow Run--Or, Lil's First 5K
Dani and I had decided we would do the Glow Run 5K right after we finished up the Color Me Rad run. No kidding. We were on our way home and decided we had better get a slew of races on the schedule--so I had something to train for so I'd actually, you know, get out and run.
Ah.
Alas, Dani was unavailable last night. I knew I could meet up with Crystal and her family so I'd still have an adult buddy. But, I had that number, just lying there. It wasn't an officially timed race, merely a fun run, so I figured what the heck I'd go ahead and put it on Bitty. I'm sure I broke many many racing rules doing so, but really, it was worth it.
Ah.
Alas, Dani was unavailable last night. I knew I could meet up with Crystal and her family so I'd still have an adult buddy. But, I had that number, just lying there. It wasn't an officially timed race, merely a fun run, so I figured what the heck I'd go ahead and put it on Bitty. I'm sure I broke many many racing rules doing so, but really, it was worth it.
The race was to start around 8:30 or so, so Bitty and I got there by 7:30. There was supposed to be a dance party, best dressed competition and more.
And then, this happened.
It was bad.
I mean, really bad. Brien called to make sure we were safe. I had sought out shelter under a roof up against the back of a big ol' building. No hanging out in the tents in the middle of the open green for me, thankyouverymuch.
It lightning (much cloud to ground lightning!). It rumbled. The rain POUNDED.
One of the organizers came to tell us they would decide what to do about the race at 8:45. We all prayed it would stop.
It was bad.
I mean, really bad. Brien called to make sure we were safe. I had sought out shelter under a roof up against the back of a big ol' building. No hanging out in the tents in the middle of the open green for me, thankyouverymuch.
It lightning (much cloud to ground lightning!). It rumbled. The rain POUNDED.
One of the organizers came to tell us they would decide what to do about the race at 8:45. We all prayed it would stop.
While we waited, Lil and I made friends with a nice group of ladies. They kitted her out with glow-in-the-dark body paint.
And, nail polish. And, glowing critters.
They were so sweet and kind and Lil was so excited it was wonderful! :o) We met up with Crystal, Nicole and Matthew and Lil's excitement grew. Nicole is her good buddy from the neighborhood and she planned on running with her. Matthew, at sixteen, is a ball of energy as well, so Crystal appointed him in charge of keeping up with the girls. We had a plan in place in case we became separated. We were ready.
The race started at 8:50 and we were off. Lil was a dynamo. I'm not kidding! I ran and ran and ran.
Okay, that's a lie. I loped and loped and loped. I OMS'd (Old Man Shuffle for those who didn't remember.) I could have kept going--I felt good and it was wonderful! :oD
But, Nicole started to flag a bit (Lil, who'd done no training whatsoever was still good to go!), so Crystal wanted to walk with her. I stopped to walk with Crystal, and when we started jogging again, I really wished I hadn't stopped. It's far easier to just keep going than to stop and walk and start again.
Lil and Nicole decided they wanted to beat the grown-ups, so they took off. They did a lot of starting and stopping, but they did it, they beat us. :oP
I'd say Crystal and I ran the majority of the time, and we actually passed quite a few folks. I was feeling pretty pleased with myself. We came around the last corner, I saw the finish line, and somehow I found all this energy and went at it full-bore and kicked it out for the last little bit. Lily was there waiting for us with Matthew and Nicole. The ladies at the finish line really puffed Bitty up on her excellent running in beating her mama. ;o)
They were so sweet and kind and Lil was so excited it was wonderful! :o) We met up with Crystal, Nicole and Matthew and Lil's excitement grew. Nicole is her good buddy from the neighborhood and she planned on running with her. Matthew, at sixteen, is a ball of energy as well, so Crystal appointed him in charge of keeping up with the girls. We had a plan in place in case we became separated. We were ready.
The race started at 8:50 and we were off. Lil was a dynamo. I'm not kidding! I ran and ran and ran.
Okay, that's a lie. I loped and loped and loped. I OMS'd (Old Man Shuffle for those who didn't remember.) I could have kept going--I felt good and it was wonderful! :oD
But, Nicole started to flag a bit (Lil, who'd done no training whatsoever was still good to go!), so Crystal wanted to walk with her. I stopped to walk with Crystal, and when we started jogging again, I really wished I hadn't stopped. It's far easier to just keep going than to stop and walk and start again.
Lil and Nicole decided they wanted to beat the grown-ups, so they took off. They did a lot of starting and stopping, but they did it, they beat us. :oP
I'd say Crystal and I ran the majority of the time, and we actually passed quite a few folks. I was feeling pretty pleased with myself. We came around the last corner, I saw the finish line, and somehow I found all this energy and went at it full-bore and kicked it out for the last little bit. Lily was there waiting for us with Matthew and Nicole. The ladies at the finish line really puffed Bitty up on her excellent running in beating her mama. ;o)
That could be rain on my face. Or sweat. Or, humidity. Who knows...I'm glowing. ;oP
See? ;oP
It seriously took me about two hours to come down so I could go to sleep. EEK! But, it felt good to feel so good, if that makes sense.
Lil has decided she's game for more races, and I really want B to do one with me too. I think this is something we'll be doing as a whole family from now on. If we can get a big enough group together, we can get a team rate, and that will help the cost.
Who knew I'd love running (*snort*, like I actually "run") so much? :o) Who knew Bitty would love it? I had no idea she had it in her, but she sure as shootin' did! I'm beyond proud of her! We had such an amazing time together. :o)
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Because I had to share... Please note the feet. *cringe*
And, because it's June and my gardens thrill me no end...
And, because it's June and my gardens thrill me no end...
Sparkling Orange. Can you see how HUGE this flower is? Look at those little Pocket Change guys. They're NOT small blooms, but they sure are next to this mamba jamba! Oh, and does it smell heavenly! It was one of my freebies from Oakes two years ago. :o)
The Miss Mary Mary daylilies have become very prolific bloomers. They're a rebloomer that'll rebloom as a double.
This is on the other side of the mailbox post. I had no idea that little daylily was hiding in there. I think it's Russian Rhapsody...?
To hodge podge beds this year. I'm wondering how the volunteer toe-toes are going to do in this middle bed here...
I know why I never grew lantana before (small berries that could be poisonous--depending on what you read--and a small Bean who loves to put things in her mouth), but I'm so glad I don't have to worry about that now. It's such a beautiful plant! And, the catmint...I'm loving the catmint! :o)
Ah, heck, have I met a flower yet I don't love? ;o)
Ah, heck, have I met a flower yet I don't love? ;o)
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